Bradley Wiggins and Sarah Storey honoured by SJA

Bradley Wiggins was named as Sportsman of the Year by the Sports Journalists' Association yesterday, at an event in the Tower of London. Sarah Storey was named Paralympic Sport Woman of the Year in a double whammy for British cycling.

Wiggins won the award after a year of unrivalled success on the road, winning Paris Nice, the Tour of Romandie, Criterium du Dauphine, the Tour de France and Olympic gold in the time trial.

Such a run of wins has never been done before making Wiggins the obvious choice for the awards that are handed out in the winter. His success in the Tour made him a household name and was credited as kicking off the Olympic feel good factor. His time trial win was GB's second gold in London 2012, but has been remembered as the one that started Olympic fever.

His mod style and anti-authority attitude also seems to have earned him a place in the nations conscience

The Sky rider remains a favourite to win the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award on December 16. Wiggins heads a list of 12 athletes dominated by members of Team GB and Paralympics GB. Golfer Rory Mcilroy is the only sportsperson on the list who wasn't at London 2012.

Sir Chris Hoy and Sarah Storey are also on the SPOTY shortlist, but from the current odds being offered don't appear to be in the running.

If Wiggins does win he will be the third cyclist in five years to win the coveted prize after Mark Cavendish last year and Sir Chris Hoy post Beijing in 2008.

Wiggins is currently trailed in the odds by Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis, Andy Murray and David Weir. Voting for SPOTY will be by phone only, with lines only open during the show.